The invention provides a process for producing a high-precision reflector and its coating. A reflector is produced from a solid material using a material-removing process and is coated with a cold-light mirror layer.
|
1. A reflector comprising:
a metal substrate;
at least one coating on the metal substrate deposited by a pvd process or a cvd process; and
at least one cavity that is at least partially filled with a coolant, wherein the coolant has a phase transition at approximately an operating temperature,
wherein the metal substrate and the at least one coating have a reflecting inner side and an outer side.
2. The reflector as claimed in
4. The reflector as claimed in
6. The reflector as claimed in
7. The reflector as claimed in
8. The reflector as claimed in
9. The reflector as claimed in
10. The reflector as claimed in
11. The reflector as claimed in
12. The reflector as claimed in
13. The reflector as claimed in
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The present application is claiming priority of German Patent Application No. 10 2004 049134.8-54, filed on Oct. 7, 2004 and German Patent Application No. 10 2005 028 456.6, filed on Jun. 17, 2005 the content of which is herein incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a process for producing a high-precision metal reflector and to a metal reflector. A projection system also forms the subject matter of the invention.
2. Description of Related Art
In practice, reflectors have a wide range of applications; mention may be made in particular of headlamp reflectors, in particular in the automotive industry, and of reflectors as used for projection systems, for example digital projectors.
DE 100 29 905 describes a reflector for a motor vehicle, in which a cold-light coating has been applied by means of a deposition process. The reflector has a base body made from plastic.
Plastic reflectors of this type have the drawback of not being particularly heat-resistant. In particular if the reflector is provided with what is known as a cold-light mirror coating, i.e. a layer which transmits and partially absorbs infrared radiation, high thermal stresses are produced in particular in the case of high-power projection systems.
Deep-drawn metal reflectors, which are likewise often used in practice, often do not have the required accuracy. Furthermore, these reflectors are relatively thin. On account of this small volume of material, it is difficult to sufficiently dissipate the heat, in particular in a projection system, and consequently the reflector reaches very high temperatures.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,944,320 discloses a cold-light mirror with an enameled coating. A particular drawback of enameled coatings of this type is that it is impossible to achieve a very high level of accuracy, which has an adverse effect on the optical quality of a projection system. Furthermore, the enamel layer is highly temperature-sensitive, and consequently a mirror of this type cannot be used for high-power projectors.
To achieve good optical properties, reflectors with a base body made from glass are primarily used for high-power projectors. Reflectors of this type are distinguished by a relatively high accuracy. However, one drawback is that glass is a relatively poor conductor of heat, and consequently it is difficult to dissipate the heat in particular in high-power projectors, which leads to high temperatures, in particular at the reflector surface. This applies in particular if the reflector has a cold-light mirror coating, i.e. a layer which preferably transmits infrared radiation and is reflective in at least a partial region of the visible spectrum. Since a certain proportion of the infrared radiation which passes through the glass body is absorbed by the latter, the glass body is considerably heated. Therefore, glass reflectors in high-power projection systems usually have only a limited service life.
By contrast, the invention is based on the object of providing a reflector with good optical properties. A further object of the invention is to provide a reflector which is not sensitive to high temperatures and allows good dissipation of heat which is generated. Another object of the invention is to provide a combination of metal reflector and cold-light mirror coating which has a good optical quality and can be produced with a high level of accuracy. A further object of the invention is to provide a projection system with good optical properties and a high dissipation of heat. It is also intended to allow the production of a high-power projection system with a reflector which is easy to replace.
The object of the invention is achieved by a process for producing a high-precision reflector, by a reflector having a reflecting inner side and an outer side, and by a process for coating a metal reflector and by a projection system.
According to the invention, there is provision for the production of a high-precision reflector by first of all providing a solid body made from metal and then producing the reflector geometry by a material-removing machining process. It is thus possible to produce thick-walled metal reflectors with a high degree of accuracy. By contrast, deep-drawn metal reflectors consist of thin material. In this case, the geometry produced by the deep-drawing operation cannot be anything like as accurate as that which is achieved when using a material-removing machining process.
The body of solid material provided may have any desired geometry; for example it is conceivable for the reflector to be produced from a cuboidal steel block or from a round material. However, it is also conceivable to provide a semi-finished product in a form which already basically corresponds to the geometry of a reflector, so that less material needs to be removed.
Surprisingly, it has emerged that the metal reflectors produced in this way have a similar accuracy to glass reflectors, can have similarly good optical properties and, moreover, are much less expensive to produce than corresponding high-precision glass reflectors.
Moreover, material-removing machining processes can be used to produce any desired reflector geometries, encompassing not just parabolic or elliptical forms, but also any desired faceted forms.
Moreover, the metal reflectors produced in accordance with the invention are distinguished by a high thermal stability and in particular by the fact that the heat can be dissipated particularly successfully, since thick-walled reflector geometries are possible.
In a preferred embodiment of the process, a chip-forming process is carried out; in particular, reflector geometry is turned or milled. Processes of this type are familiar from practical applications and can be carried out very accurately, for example using diamond-tipped tools.
In particular if more complicated geometries are to be produced, it is recommended for at least parts of the reflector geometry to be produced by an electrical discharge machining process. In particular narrow channels can often only be realized using machining processes of this type.
It is preferable for the reflector surface, i.e. the reflective surface on the front side of the reflector, to be surface-treated, in particular lapped, ground or polished, in order to produce a low roughness and high dimensional accuracy.
In a preferred embodiment of the process, a parabolic or elliptical reflector geometry is produced, but any other desired geometries, such as a faceted geometry, are also conceivable.
In a refinement of the invention, a structure is produced on the rear side of the reflector, i.e. the side which is remote from the reflective side, likewise by means of a material-removing process.
In particular, the process according to the invention makes it possible to provide the rear side with a screw thread, with cooling ribs or with locating or centering means. It is thus possible to provide a single-piece reflector which has functional elements, such as centering pins, screw threads, etc., on the rear side.
In this context, it is advantageous in particular for the reflector base body to substantially comprise a metal, in particular stainless steel, aluminum, copper or silver. Unlike glass, these materials are not prone to brittle fracture, and consequently even complicated geometries or cooling passages are possible. Metals with a high thermal conductivity, such as certain steel alloys, aluminum copper or silver, are particularly preferred.
In a refinement of the invention, the reflector is coated on the front side with a reflection layer, in particular with a layer comprising aluminum and silver. Layers of this type, which increase the reflectivity of a surface, are generally known.
In particular, there is also provision for the metallic reflector to be coated with a suitable cold-light mirror layer. These are coatings known to the person skilled in the art which absorb infrared light and reflect the visible light in at least a partial region of the visible spectrum, making the metallic reflector into a cold-light mirror. A particular benefit of the reflector according to the invention is that it allows a high dissipation of heat, since a coating of this type leads to greatly increased thermal stresses on the reflector.
In particular, there is provision for an optical functional layer, which according to the present application also includes the cold-light mirror layer, to be applied by means of a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) or CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) process. Layers applied in this way are distinguished by a high dimensional accuracy, are securely bonded to the substrate and can be applied in thin film thicknesses.
In particular, it is advantageous if at least two layers are applied in one installation, for example a vacuum installation. In this context, consideration has been given in particular to applying a reflection layer first and then a cold-light mirror layer. Furthermore, it is also recommended for the reflector to be provided with a transparent scratchproof layer or a self-cleaning layer. If the layers are applied in one installation, as is preferred, the entire coating operation can be carried out in one go.
The invention also relates to a reflector having a reflecting inner side and an outer side, which reflector includes a metal substrate and at least one coating deposited by means of a PVD or CVD process.
The inventors have discovered that PVD and CVD processes which have previously been developed for the coating of plastic or glass, if suitable process parameters are appropriately adapted, are fundamentally also suitable for the coating of metal reflectors. In particular, a metal reflector of this type with a deposited coating, in particular a reflection coating, allows similarly good optical properties to those of a glass reflector to be achieved but with a significantly improved dissipation of heat and a longer service life.
To improve the dissipation of heat, there is provision for cooling ribs to be arranged on the reflector outer side. As an alternative or in addition to this, the reflector may also have cooling passages for connection to an external cooling circuit. It is thus possible to directly cool the reflector and dissipate the heat via an external cooler. In particular, there is provision for there to be at least one flange for connection to an external coolant circuit. In this context, it is important for the reflector base body to substantially comprise metal. It is very difficult to form accurate screw threads and cooling passages in glass.
In a refinement of the invention, the reflector includes a cavity which is at least partially filled with a coolant. A coolant can circulate within this cavity, in which, by way of example, cooling ribs may also be present, and can thus cool the reflector by convection alone. It is thus even conceivable to provide reflectors which make do without forced circulation of air even for high-power projectors. Even fan-operated forced circulation of air in high-power projection systems has the drawback of being relatively loud.
This is extremely disadvantageous in particular for beamers for film projection.
In a refinement of the invention, a coolant which undergoes a phase transition at approximately operating temperature is introduced. By way of example, it is conceivable for the cavity of the reflector to be only partially filled with a coolant of this type, which makes a higher cooling capacity possible through condensation and transition to the gaseous state.
In a refinement of the invention, the reflector has locating means at least on its rear side. The term locating means is to be understood as meaning any device known to the person skilled in the art which allows the reflector to be fitted in a defined way in a corresponding holder. The locating means used may be pins, a tongue-and-groove system or alternatively a cone, as well as other means familiar to the person skilled in the art. Another benefit of the reflector according to the invention is that locating means of this type can be arranged on or introduced into a metal substrate with a high level of accuracy and then allow the reflector to be fitted in an accurately defined position. It is thus possible to provide a projection system in which the reflector is easy to replace and does not have to be adjusted after it has been replaced.
In particular if this is a reflector for a projector, it is advantageous if the reflector has a coating which preferably absorbs infrared radiation on the inner side, i.e. is configured as a cold-light mirror.
An infrared-absorbing layer of this type may, for example, comprise a black layer which absorbs not only in the infrared but also in the visible spectral region. These can be applied, for example, by vapor deposition. Inter alia, TiCN, WCH and AlTiN layers have proven suitable for this purpose. In particular absorbing enamel layers have a good ability to withstand thermal stresses. Another option is for a black layer to be produced by electroplating or by chemical reaction with the substrate material. In this way, an absorbing anodized layer is produced. Finally, it is also possible to apply black chrome and/or black nickel layers, to which end deposition by electroplating is likewise suitable. Layers of this type have very good absorption properties over a wide wavelength range.
To achieve good cold-light properties in combination with an interference layer system applied to the black layer, according to a refinement of the invention, a black layer arranged at least on the inner side of the reflector has an absorption of at least 80% in the visible and in particular also the infrared region up to a wavelength of 1800 nanometers, and preferably has an absorption of at least 75% up to a wavelength of 2400 nanometers.
The reflecting inner side of the reflector advantageously has a roughness average Ra of less than 200 nm, preferably of less than 50 nm and particularly preferably of less than 20 nm. Such smooth structures are distinguished by a high reflectance.
In a preferred embodiment of the reflector, the tolerance zone width at least on the inner side is less than 200 μm, preferably less than 50 μm and particularly preferably less than 10 μm. With a metal reflector, it is possible to provide a high-precision component which has only extremely minor deviations from the desired dimension.
In a preferred embodiment of the reflector, at least on the reflecting inner side it has a material thickness of over 0.3 mm, preferably over 0.8 mm and particularly preferably over 1.5 mm. There is therefore provision for at least the reflector shell to form a relatively thick-walled metal structure which allows particularly good dissipation of heat.
This is not possible when using deep-drawn metal reflectors, since deep-drawing processes are suitable only for thin-walled metal sheets.
In a preferred embodiment, the reflector is in the form of a single piece. In the context of the invention, reflector is to be understood as meaning the entire component which, as likewise described as the subject of the invention, includes cooling passages, cooling ribs or the like.
In a refinement of the invention, the reflector at least on the rear side has indentations with a cross section substantially in the shape of craters. Indentations of this type, which are also known as dimples, have the particularly advantageous effect whereby when a fluid is flowing past the reflector, turbulence or tornado-like structures are formed, which can considerably improve the dissipation of heat.
The subject of the invention is also a process for coating a metal reflector. This process involves providing a reflector substrate comprising metal and depositing a functional layer, in particular an absorption layer and/or a reflection layer, on the surface of the reflector substrate. The term absorption layer is to be understood as meaning a layer which has absorbing properties at least in a partial region of the wavelength spectrum. The reflection layer has reflecting properties at least in a partial region of the visible wavelength spectrum. Layers can be produced with a very high accuracy by means of a deposition process, in particular a chemical or physical deposition process.
There is provision for the reflector substrate used to be either a substrate produced from a solid material by means of a material-removing machining process or a deep-drawn metal base body.
In particular, it is intended to provide a cold-light metal reflector which has a cold-light mirror coating applied by means of a deposition process.
Layers of this type can be achieved in particular by depositing a metal layer and then oxidizing and depositing oxide and nitride layers.
In particular, there is provision for a reflection layer, in particular an aluminum or silver layer for increasing the reflectance of the surface of the metallic reflector, to be deposited first of all, since many metallic materials, in particular tool steels, inherently have only a relatively low degree of reflection in the visible region.
There is then provision for a transparent alternating layer made of sublayers with a high and low refractive index, such as for example silicon oxide and titanium oxide, to be applied as the cold-light mirror layer. In the context of the present application, the term transparent is to be understood as meaning a layer which has transparent properties at least in a partial region of the visible wavelength spectrum. In particular, at least one chromium oxide layer for partial absorption of the infrared radiation is also provided in the alternating layer system.
Advantageous deposition processes with which the person skilled in the art will be familiar include PVD processes, such as sputtering and evaporation coating processes, as well as electron beam physical vapor deposition, or CVD processes, in particular plasma-enhanced CVD processes.
In a refinement of the process, in particular in the case of a deep-drawn metal reflector, there is provision for cooling ribs to be welded, soldered or adhesively bonded to the rear side. In particular in the case of thin-walled deep-drawn metal reflectors, the dissipation of heat is often inadequate. Therefore, according to the invention there is provision for cooling ribs to be soldered to the rear side of the reflector.
In one particular embodiment, there is provision for fins to be arranged parallel to the reflector axis. The term fins is to be understood as meaning metal sheets which taper to a point substantially toward the rear.
In a refinement of the invention, the fins are simultaneously provided with centering means, in particular locating pins are fitted to the end of the fins, by means of which locating pins the reflector can be fitted accurately into a corresponding holder.
A further subject of the invention is a projection system, comprising a metal reflector and a holder for the metal reflector, with locating means being provided between reflector and holder.
In the context of the application, a metal reflector is to be understood as meaning a reflector which substantially includes metal, i.e. in particular a reflector according to the invention with a metal substrate. By means of the locating means, which are in particular locating pins, a tongue-and-groove system or a cone, it is possible to anchor the reflector accurately in a holder. It is thus possible to provide a projection system with reflector and holder, which makes it possible to replace the reflector without then having to adjust it. It is advantageous in particular to use a reflector produced from a solid material, in which the locating means may form part of the rear side structure. In this context, it is of benefit to the projection system that a metal reflector of this type can be produced with a high dimensional accuracy, and mechanical functional elements such as pins and screws can particularly successfully be formed from a solid metal material.
In a refinement of the invention, a thermally conductive paste is arranged between the reflector and holder of the projection system. This further improves the dissipation of heat from the reflector to the holder.
In a refinement of the invention, the reflector and holder can be connected to one another by means of a latchable system, in particular by means of a bayonet closure. In particular, it is provided that the reflector can be latched in the holder and is thus easy to fit and remove.
According to the invention, the cooling of the reflector, which in particular has a cold-light mirror coating, can also be effected by way of the holder. There is also provision for a coolant to be passed between the reflector and holder. This coolant may be any desired fluid, i.e. including air. If the heat is also to be dissipated via the holder, it is expedient for a material with a good thermal conductivity, in particular a metal, likewise to be used for the holder. It is also possible for cooling ribs to be arranged on the holder. It is thus possible to provide a projection system in which there is no need to use any motor-driven fans. The heat can be dissipated by radiation and convection alone.
It is advantageous for a transparent plate or lens to be situated in front of the reflector, to provide protection or to achieve further optical functions.
A refinement of the invention uses a plate which preferably reflects light in the infrared region, thereby preventing thermal radiation from penetrating to the outside. A design of this type is made possible in particular by the property of a metal reflector according to the invention of rapidly dissipating heat.
The invention is to be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings
According to the exemplary embodiment shown in
In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown in
In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown in
In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown in
In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown in
In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown in
The black layer may, for example, comprise a TiCN, WCH or AlTiN layer applied by vapor deposition. With regard to the ability to withstand temperature changes, an absorbing enamel layer has also proven particularly suitable. A layer of this type can likewise be formed by electroplating as an absorbing anodized layer. Black chrome and/or black nickel layers are also suitable.
A black layer according to the invention is particularly suitable if it has an absorption of at least 80% in the visible and in particular also the infrared region up to a wavelength of 1800 nanometers, and preferably has an absorption of at least 75% up to a wavelength of 2400 nanometers.
Finally,
Kuepper, Thomas, Zogg, Lutz, Mehrtens, Andree
| Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
| 10001588, | Nov 18 2010 | Corning Incorporated | Enhanced, protected silver coatings on aluminum for optical mirror and method of making same |
| 11236879, | Feb 13 2018 | HASCO VISION TECHNOLOGY CO , LTD | Vehicle lamp system, vehicle lamp, and method for manufacturing vehicle lamp system |
| 8947670, | Nov 11 2010 | Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments Inc. | Flexure mounted moving mirror to reduce vibration noise |
| Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
| 3361903, | |||
| 3944320, | Aug 09 1973 | Thorn Electrical Industries Limited | Cold-light mirror |
| 4337097, | Dec 28 1979 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Company, Limited | Method for making a selective absorption film for solar energy |
| 5433988, | Oct 01 1986 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Multi-layer reflection mirror for soft X-ray to vacuum ultraviolet ray |
| 5947590, | Sep 15 1997 | JVC Kenwood Corporation | High power arc lamp reflector with shroud and plurality of cooling fins on exterior surface of reflector for image projector |
| 20020153486, | |||
| 20030058656, | |||
| 20040233530, | |||
| 20040264197, | |||
| 20050128403, | |||
| DE10029905, | |||
| DE69430721, | |||
| DE69708869, | |||
| WO2004026785, |
| Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
| Oct 07 2005 | SCHOTT AG | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
| Feb 23 2006 | MEHRTENS, ANDREE | SCHOTT AG | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 017665 | /0435 | |
| Feb 24 2006 | KUEPPER, THOMAS | SCHOTT AG | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 017665 | /0435 | |
| Feb 24 2006 | ZOGG, LUTZ | SCHOTT AG | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 017665 | /0435 | |
| Dec 10 2007 | SCHOTT AG | Auer Lighting GmbH | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 020433 | /0769 |
| Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
| Jul 01 2008 | ASPN: Payor Number Assigned. |
| Nov 10 2011 | M1551: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Year, Large Entity. |
| Nov 10 2015 | M1552: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Year, Large Entity. |
| Jan 06 2020 | REM: Maintenance Fee Reminder Mailed. |
| Jun 22 2020 | EXP: Patent Expired for Failure to Pay Maintenance Fees. |
| Date | Maintenance Schedule |
| May 20 2011 | 4 years fee payment window open |
| Nov 20 2011 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
| May 20 2012 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
| May 20 2014 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
| May 20 2015 | 8 years fee payment window open |
| Nov 20 2015 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
| May 20 2016 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
| May 20 2018 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
| May 20 2019 | 12 years fee payment window open |
| Nov 20 2019 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
| May 20 2020 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
| May 20 2022 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |